Christmas, the season of joy, peace, and realising that you are completely out of tape, again. Think of this post as your survival guide to getting through the festivities with your crafting spirit - and maybe even a bit of your sanity - still intact.

If you are the type of person, who starts with a perfectly curated Pinterest board and somehow ends up with glitter in places you didn’t even know existed, you are in the right place.

These steps are your cheerful reminder that you’ve got the strength - and the sparkle - to make it through the holiday season.

1. Plan Your Projects Early

If you’re anything like me, the default setting is “panic-crafting at the last minute.” Not this year! Carve out a little time now to map out what you want to make - whether it’s handmade gifts, décor, or a festive project just for fun.

A simple list (or a pretty planner page if you are feeling fancy) can save you from the December scramble and keep your creativity feeling joyful instead of frantic.

2. Embrace “Good Enough” Crafting

Perfectionism is the ultimate Grinch of creativity. This season, give yourself permission to make things that are heartfelt, not flawless. Lower the bar.

A slightly wonky stitch or mismatched ribbon won’t ruin the magic - in fact, those little quirks often become the most charming details. Craft with joy, not pressure, and let “good enough” be more than enough.

3. Prep a Holiday Crafting Survival Kit

This is a simple but surprisingly powerful planning trick. Gather a few essentials and tuck them all into one handy box:

Clear tape
Double sided sticky tape
Hot glue gun with extra glue sticks
Scissors
Ribbon
Markers + gel pens
Gift tags
Bakers twine
Batteries
and maybe even a secret stash of chocolate!

Having everything in one place means fewer mid-project meltdowns and no frantic dashes to the shops that somehow always close just when you need them most.

“Mini crafting sessions aren’t about finishing - they are about pausing, creating and finding joy in the little moments.”

4. Turn Chaos Into Craftspiration

Every maker knows that Christmas “fails” have a funny way of becoming the most-loved creations of the season. Maybe it’s the ornament that hangs a little crooked, the gift tag you whipped up five minutes before leaving the house, or the wrapping paper that tore right as you were smoothing it down.

Instead of stressing when projects go off-script, embrace the chaos. Those wonky, last-minute, slightly-messy moments often carry the most charm - and sometimes the “oops” becomes the masterpiece. After all, handmade magic isn’t about perfection; it’s about the story behind each creation.

5. Make Time for Mini Moments of Creativity

The holidays get busy fast, but creativity doesn’t have to be an all-day affair. Celebrate the power of quick, feel-good projects. Five-minute ornaments, no-fuss garlands, Pom Pom decorations, or easy batch-made festive cards you can whip up between tasks.

Think of these tiny crafting sessions as a mental reset, not another box to check. A few minutes with paper, yarn, washi tape or glue can bring a surprising amount of calm to a hectic season.

6. Involve the Kids (or the Reluctant Adults)

Crafting gets even more joyful when you bring a few extra hands into the mix - whether they are small, eager, and covered in glue… or full-grown and actively hiding from the glitter. Set out pre-cut pieces, offer a “kid-safe” version of the project, or assign each helper a special job so everyone feels included without derailing your masterpiece.

For an extra dose of festive fun, try family-friendly projects that are simple and satisfying for all ages - salt dough ornaments, paper garlands, or easy paint-and-stamp wrapping paper are always a hit.

And if you have a reluctant crafter in the house (I’m looking at my husband), a little holiday bribery goes a long way. A steaming mug of hot cocoa, a plate of cookies, or the promise that you will handle the glitter cleanup is often all the incentive they need. After all, bribery is practically a Christmas crafting tradition.

7. Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse

One of the best parts of holiday crafting is turning what you already have into something new and beautiful. It’s thrifty, eco-friendly, and wonderfully creative. Try these simple ideas to get started:

1. Scrap Stash Ornaments | Gather leftover fabric, yarn scraps, ribbon ends, or tiny trims and turn them into charming ornaments. Add scraps into clear baubles, stitch them into simple shapes, or bundle ribbons into little tassels for the tree.

2. Paper Bag Magic | Don’t toss those brown paper bags - transform them into rustic gift tags, hand-stamped wrapping paper, or folded star decorations. A little ink, paint, or twine can turn grocery bags into gorgeous holiday accents.

3. Last Year’s Cards, This Year’s Decor | Old Christmas cards are perfect for repurposing. Cut them into garland shapes, punch them into gift tags, or frame your favorite designs for instant festive wall art. It’s a lovely way to give last year’s memories a brand-new moment to shine.

4. Jar & Tin Transformations | Hold onto empty jars, tins, and candle containers - they make fantastic upcycled décor. Wrap them in leftover paper, add a bit of ribbon or twine, and you’ve got instant candle holders, mini gift containers, or charming vases for holiday greenery. It’s an easy way to turn everyday items into festive treasures.

“A crooked ornament or last minute gift tag is not a fail, it is a story waiting to be remembered.”

8. Embrace the Glitter

Glitter isn’t just a crafting material - it’s a lifestyle choice. Once that little container is opened, you’ve made a commitment. It will appear on your couch, your pets, your hands, and yes… even your face at work in July. And honestly? That’s part of the fun. Let it happen. Shine bright.

Of course, a little sparkle doesn’t have to mean permanent chaos. Embrace the shimmer. Glitter is joy you can see - and sometimes, joy is worth a little mess. A few quick hacks can help keep things manageable:

Lint rollers are your best friend for picking up stray glitter from furniture, clothing, or carpet
Damp paper towels or microfibre cloths work wonders on hard surfaces - just press gently to lift glitter without spreading it around
Vacuum with a brush attachment for floors and rugs, then wipe surfaces afterward to catch anything that sneaks past

At the end of the day, holiday crafting is less about producing picture-perfect pieces and more about enjoying the wonderfully imperfect process.

When you simplify, improvise, rope in a few helpers, and lean into the chaos (glitter and all), you create more than decorations - you create memories. So gather what you have, take a deep breath, and dive into those small moments of creativity.

Let the season be filled with laughter, resourcefulness, and a healthy appreciation for the kind of sparkle that never truly goes away.

8 ways to Survive Christmas | Craft Edition

Christmas, the season of joy, peace, and realising that you are completely out of tape, again. Think of this post as your survival guide to getting through the festivities with your crafting spirit - and maybe even a bit of your sanity - still intact.

Products We Love | Festive Issue